味方
mikata[mʲika̠ta̠]
The Japanese word for ally is 味方 (mikata).
味方 refers to a person, group or concept associated with another as a helper or supporter. While it can be used in political or military contexts to describe an ally, it is very commonly used in daily life to describe someone who is 'on your side' during a personal disagreement or a specific situation.
Meaning: person, group, concept, etc., which is associated with another as a helper (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
A common idiomatic way to express the act of gaining someone's support or making them an ally is to use the phrase 味方につける.
How do you pronounce it?
mikata
Did you know?
- The word 味方 shares the same first character as 味 'taste' and 味わう 'to taste'. Originally, the word referred to someone who shares the same 'flavor' or 'disposition' as you.
- The term 味方 can be applied to inanimate objects or abstract concepts, such as the wind or luck. A Japanese speaker might say the weather is their 味方 if it helps them win a game.
- In Japanese sports and gaming, 味方 is the standard term for a teammate. An English speaker might expect a word for 'team', but Japanese uses the word for 'ally' instead.
Examples in context
- 敵の敵が必ずしも味方とは限らない。An enemy of an enemy is not necessarily an ally.This sentence illustrates that an enemy of an enemy is not necessarily a 味方.Tatoeba #3010095 by tommy_san, translation #3010102 by CK
- 味方に付けるTo get on one's side (as an ally)This sentence shows the phrase for getting someone on one's side as a 味方.
- 私たちは仲間です。We are allies.
- 彼は私の協力者です。He is my ally.
- 私たちはいつも仲間であり、旅の途中でお互いを支えてきました。We have always been allies and supported each other throughout the journey.
- 彼女は私にとって一番の仲間であり、いつでも頼りになります。I consider her my closest ally and can always rely on her.
- 彼は私の強力な味方です。Kare wa watashi no kyouryoku na mikata desu.He is a strong ally of mine.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ren and Misaki are discussing a difficult project at work.
- 蓮 Renこのプロジェクト、一人では無理そうだ。Kono purojekuto, hitori de wa muri sou da.I don't think I can do this project alone.
- 美咲 Misaki大丈夫。私が蓮さんの味方になるよ。Daijoubu. Watashi ga Ren-san no mikata ni naru yo.It's okay. I'll be your ally.
- 蓮 Ren本当に？助かるよ。Hontou ni? Tasukaru yo.Really? That helps a lot.
- 美咲 Misaki一緒に頑張ろうね。Issho ni ganbarou ne.Let's do our best together.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ally” translations and entries 味方, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
